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Five Surprising Causes of Adult Acne
from: MultiSkinCare.comAs an adult, you may take it for granted that you have outgrown the trappings of your awkward teenage years. It's easy to understand, then, why so many men and women in their 20s, 30s and beyond are baffled and frustrated when they find themselves battling pimples and acne. Actually, the hormones that wrought havoc on your skin as an adolescent may not be the culprit; there are many common causes of acne in adulthood.
Adulthood is by no means stress-free, which is why many grown men and women find themselves constantly under siege from bumps and breakouts. Chronic, unchecked stress levels cause the body to increase sebum production; it also makes your skin more vulnerable to inflammation and redness. While it's almost impossible to eliminate all stress in your life, a little relaxation goes a long way where your skin is concerned. Practice self-soothing activities like yoga, meditation and other low-key diversions.
Over the course of a day, the average person touches their face more than 1,000 times. When you think about all the surfaces your fingers come into contact with--door handles, money, restroom doors--it's easy to imagine that your hands are likely covered with oil, dirt and bacteria. Every time you rub your eyes, scratch your nose or massage your temples, you transfer these unwanted substances to your face. As a result, your face may become more prone to breakouts. You can combat this effect by washing your hands frequently and abstaining from putting your hands anywhere near your eyes, nose and mouth.
Ironically, your beauty sleep may be responsible for acne breakouts. While you snooze, oils, dead skin and dirt are deposited onto your pillowcase. Infrequent cleaning leads to a buildup of these impurities, which are in close contact with your skin. Change your sheets and pillowcases regularly, or place a towel on your pillow every night. In fact, some companies even offer treated pillowcases that are made with bamboo fibers, which are naturally anti-microbial and hypoallergenic.
If you regularly wear cosmetics, your beauty routine may be to blame for acne breakouts--especially if you go to sleep without first removing them. Unless you cleanse your face at least once daily, you more than likely have clogged pores. A gentle face wash or makeup remover should be used in the morning and at bedtime. If the problem continues, look for products that are labelled as non-comedogenic (won't clog pores).
If your skin is bumpy and acne-prone, your beauty products may be to blame. Some primers and foundations leave a waxy buildup that can clog pores and cause inflammation. Others contain harsh ingredients--menthol, eucalyptus and essential oils, for example--that are naturally irritating to skin. Cosmetics can also wreak havoc on your skin if they are old or dried out. Consider labeling each product with the date it was purchased and toss them when they reach the end of their viable life. Moisturizers, cream-based makeup and skin serums should be discarded after six months; ditch powders and foundations after one year.
Except in rare cases, there is a good chance that adjusting your habits and beauty routine can help you to eliminate or lessen the effects of acne. Following the guidelines from this article will bring you one step closer to the skin you've always dreamed of. Now, if only you could fit into your high school jeans...
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